AVERY BROWNING

MUSKOGEE HIGH SCHOOL

Even though he’s been a Muskogee Rougher for just a short time, junior Avery Browning is happy with the way things have been going. He transferred to Muskogee from Oktaha last spring and only played about half the season, but he hit .359 and pitched 21 innings with 23 strikeouts.

“It was really easy to make the move to a new team for me because they were so welcoming and even though I just got to play about half the season, it was the most fun and best season I’ve had playing,” said Browning.

Coach John Singler is looking forward to having him for a full season this year. 

“He’s a really good pitcher, hitter and a good student. This year he’ll be one of our top two arms and will hit in the middle of the order.”.

Avery said his dad, who he calls a role model and who coached him until he was 15, was instrumental in getting him started in baseball.

“My dad started a T-ball team when I was three or four and as I grew older, he wanted me to try baseball because he never played it,and I’ve loved it ever since. I really like being around my friends and having success because baseball is a hard game, and it makes you feel good when you have success because you fail more than you succeed in this game.”

It’s always good to have teammates who push you to be better and Avery has a couple of guys that fill that bill for him.

“Rock Gilliam and Luke Jamison are the guys who really push me,” said Avery. “They know how I can play and the don’t let me take off reps in practice or slack off and hold me accountable.”

Though he’s played just a few games for the Roughers, Avery talked about a highlight for him.

“The highlight for me so far was in the first game in played for Muskogee, I went 3-for-4 against McAlester, and we won the game in extra innings.”

In his spare time, Avery says he likes to hunt and fish and hang out with his family.